Method of forming continuous strands of animal intestines



Dec. 25, 1945. T. R. SELBY 2,391,483

METHOD OF FORMING CONTINUOUS STRANDS OF ANIMAL INTESTINES Filed May 1'7, 1944 Patented Dec. 25, 1945 2,391,483 METHOD OF FORMING CONTINUOUS STRANDS OF. ANIMAL INTESTINES Theodore R. Selby, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Wilson & Co. Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application May-17, 1944, Serial No. 536,055

7 Claims. (Cl. 57-164) -in the fact that some intestines are not usable because of defects which would not interfere at all in the case of a continuous strand.

Theinvention is illustrated in the drawing, in which the figure illustrates a tank In. containin a bath of suitable electrolyte II. A considerable plurality of intestines, preferably split, are suitably cleaned and scraped, are then soaked ina suitable aqueous bath in "accordance with known practice to adjust the condition of the split intestines substantially to maximum adhesiveness m'thout detrimentally affecting the physical characteristics thereof. I

After the split intestines have been so adjusted and are withdrawn from the bath over the edge of the tank, between pins 5, which serve as spacers, onto belt' l3 at a slow rate, usually six feet per minute. The split intestines maintain the same lateral spacing on the belt as when leavin the tank. The individual strands'are then fed into a suitable strander, which may be the ordinary type -of cordage strander It. This strander is preferably a few inches above the belt. In starting the process, the strands may be fed in together in sufflcient number to producea strand of desired thickness, but thereafter it is preferred to feed in new split intestines one at a time to provide strength and continuity.

As indicated in the drawing the split intestines are fed onto the belt over a wide area in order that they may funnel into the strander. This provides a lateral tension to. the individual strands, particularly since the belt runs more slowly than the feed through the strander.

In adding new split intestines to the strand, the operator draws a new split intestine from the bath, through the appropriate pins, and places its front end immediately adjacent the rear end of the split intestine it replaces in the strand. Then as the strands close, the end of the new split intestine is fed into the strand just before it closes. and at the same time the converging funnel of material is grasped loosely in the operators hand, and the hand, while so grasping the strands, is moved away from the spinner or otherwise manipulated to close the strands on the added'split intestine; This changes the shape of the funneling mass. and causes it to converge or close at a point farther from the spinner, thus insuring that the orsecured.

new split intestine is properly anchored The split intestines are under sufficient back pressure to provide proper stranding, This is accomplished by the small amount of tension produced by the edge of the tank, over which the split intestines are pulled, and by the drag of the belt, which is moved at a slightly slower rate than the rate of feed of the spinner. This means that the split intestines are actually pulled over the surface of the belt as well as being fed by it.

only one or two feet per Ordinarily this drag is minute, but it may readily be adjusted to suit the individual characteristics of the strand, the belt and the split intestines.

The strand may contain whatever number of plies is desirable. Ordinarily the rangeis from 3 plies for certain surgical gut, to as many as 25 plies for tennis strings.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom.

What I' claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The method of forming split or whole animal intestines into strands of indefinite length, which comprises thoroughly soaking clean intestines in a bath to induce maximum adhesiveness,

drawing the intestines from the bath, and then spinning the so-treated wet intestines while still wet and in a condition of maximum-adhcsiveness into a strand of indefinite length.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 in which the intestines. are spun under back tension.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 in which the intestines are fed to a spinner in a funnel shaped mass maintained under back pressure, and the strand is maintained at a predetermined thickness by feeding in make-up intestines to the strand as required.

4. The method of claim '1 in which the resulting strand is then dried under tension.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the intestines are fed in a funnel shaped mass to a rotating spinner, and a make-up intestine is inserted to maintain the continuity of the strand immediately prior to closing of the strand.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 in which the intestines are fed in a funnel shaped mass to a rotating spinner and a make-up intestine is inserted to maintain the continuity of the strand as required immediately prior to the closing of the strand and is fixed in position between the strands by compressing the funnel shaped mass thereon by a sliding back tension.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 in which the intestines prior to stranding are frictionally and slidably engaged by a belt moving in the same direction as the intestines but at a substantially faster rate.

THEODORE R. SELBY. 

